AG warns sports fans of ticket, merch scams as Flyers, 76ers begin post-season

As the 76ers begin their NBA play-in tournament and the Flyers face another round in one of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs this weekend, Attorney General Dave Sunday is asking sports fans to be on high alert for fake tickets and unlicensed merchandise.

On April 15, Sunday told fans to beware of scammers who take advantage of high-demand sports matchups and encouraged them to pause before making any purchase.

“There’s nothing like the excitement of the NHL and NBA Playoffs and the fans of the 76ers, the Flyers, and the Penguins are ready to support their teams like they always do. Don’t let that excitement lead you to being scammed when buying tickets or team gear,” Sunday said.

Sunday also released a list of tips to consider when buy tickets and merchandise:

• Watch the websites you visit. As a consumer, you should not click on banner ads or pop-ups on a legitimate website that may take you to a third party website. You lose all protections and guarantees once you leave a legitimate website in favor of discounted tickets or other promises somewhere else.
   
• Review your cart before checking out, when purchasing tickets through a website. Some online ticket resale platforms may charge fees at checkout.  Review your purchase prior to hitting the final checkout button for any additional charges and fees added to the final purchase price.
   
• Be cautious of using search engines to find potential ticket sellers. Less reputable websites offering ticket sales will ramp up advertising before events like the playoffs, increasing their website traffic. Stick to websites you are familiar with, and read the URL of the website you visit. Scam artists often make minor changes to an actual website’s URL to bring a false sense of legitimacy to the website – a practice known as spoofing. Look for spelling or grammatical mistakes – a tip-off to fake websites.
   
• Avoid buying tickets from someone you have not met. Do not buy tickets from a seller you don’t know. Always try to conduct any ticket purchase in a safe, well lit area. Consumers can also search for “Safe Transaction Locations” online. Police stations provide an environment for safe transactions.
   
• Be wary of sellers asking for payment in gift cards, money orders, cryptocurrency or wire transfers, especially over the phone. Consumers should use their credit cards when possible to protect themselves from scammers and fraud.
   
• Trust your common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This is especially true with travel packages that promise airfare, accommodations, and tickets at incredibly low prices. Do your homework and investigate the seller before buying.

Pennsylvanians who believe they have been victims of a ticket, travel service, or merchandise scam can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting www.attorneygeneral.gov, by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov, or by calling 1-800-441-2555.